feeling a bit down

[Cazy1010]

sorry for moaning but feel down today , 11 days since operation and feel as if everything has stopped!! I’ve done as I’m told only little walks in the house ( don’t fancy outside yet)!! Did anybody still feel a bit sore and have the “odd” feeling when moving !!! I live on my own ( my daughter comes round ) just need to give myself a kick up the ass to get going !!

[Eriksendi]

it’s very early days since your op, it does take time just be patient with yourself. My stomach felt like everything was falling out when I stood up and lots of other strange feelings but they will get better each day. I made myself rest and tried not to push too much. Take care x

[Cazy1010 in reply to Eriksendi]

that’s what mine feels like !!! I thought I had done something wrong , I think I am over thinking things but tend to do that when I’m on my own xx

[Mammi in reply to Cazy1010]

Think we all do but it is very early days.I was told that there are several layers of stitching to heal and all your insides are finding a new place to settle into. Next you might feel a few pulling sensations & that I was told is the scar tissue.So don’t worry, your body is working really hard to heal, enjoy an excuse to chill! Hugs Dee X

[Cazy1010 in reply to Mammi]

that’s what I have felt !!! I know it’s was a big op and perhaps expecting too much but that’s me all over !! X thank you for replying x

[Lovedogs41]

Hi

Your still in the very early stages of recovery so give yourself a break,it’s going to take some time to recover from this major surgery.Take it easy keep up with the walking around indoors regularly and you will get there.Perhaps your daughter could take you on a short drive out to a fav local beauty spot in the next week or two?

Some fresh air and a change of scenery can work wonders.

Look after yourself x

[Cazy1010 in reply to Lovedogs41]

the only thing she doesn’t drive !!!!! I’ve tried to get her to but mum has always been the driver lol !!!!!

[Lovedogs41]

ahh ok perhaps a friend then? x

[Itha]

Hi, I had my second surgery on 13 Jan and I am still very aware of it. It gets better but it takes longer than what you might expect. It certainly took much longer for me than I anticipated. And, yes, I still feel my stomach and it still feels like it belongs to someone else. I still struggle with going to the toilet. Be patient. Walking a little bit at a time on a regular basis is good. Wear a binder for support

[Katmal-UK]

It’s early days and you are bound to feel down, even more so if you are on your own. Be kind to yourself, cry if you want to, shout if you want to, you are going through a lot but you will improve, a little bit each day as your body heals. Sending you a big hug xx

[Dubai18]

Give yourself some time, also look after your mental health as well, try and do things you enjoy, I felt very low mentally, like I had lost all interest in everything. But it will all be okay with time, and as all the ladies have said there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will feel back to your normal self soon. 🤗 xxx

[Newbery3]

Honestly! Moan as much as you want! It's a horrible time and on your own must be really upsetting. I was home alone a lot as my husband had to work and its really boring, and my emotions were everywhere 😔 but it doesn't last! You will get stronger and better! 😊 the weird feelings and pains are normal ok. Just get reading a good book or binge watch TV. And if your fed up phone someone are let rip 🥰get well soon x

[Mysticmeg123]

Hiya. As everyone has already said, you need to give yourself time to heal. It is a big operation and so many layers of muscle that need time to knit back together. If it helps, the best advice I was given was to tie a light silk scarf at the bottom of my tummy and haul it up and tie the scarf around my back so that it lifted my tummy. I cannot tell you the relief I got from doing that. Other than that, lots of rest and sleep as much as you need to. Your body has been through such a huge trauma and will need time. Take Care x

[bamboo89]

Its only been 11 days, and it takes up to six weeks for the effects of all the drugs you were given during the operation to disappear from the body completely, never mind healing from major surgery. I don't know how major your surgery was, but when I had mine, I was only allowed home from the hospital on the 11th day. I know they try to send people home asap these days because of respiratory infection risk, so you were sent home quite quickly, which may have given you false expectations about how soon you would be fully recovered. As for moving around, I live up 3 flights of stairs and was told to go down the stairs and back up again, as slowly as I liked, at least twice a day for the exercise, starting from the moment I got home. On the other hand, I was told not to do anything like vacuuming nor lift anything remotely heavy, such as a full kettle and not to drive for 6-8 weeks.

I slept a lot, snoozed whenever I felt weary, watched a lot of mindless tv and actually, I quite enjoyed it, not doing things nor having to do anything much; I live alone too, so didn't have to look after anyone else, just myself, which makes it easier. Bear in mind your body will recover more quickly if you allow it to; being impatient and stressed about your recovery 'taking too long' won't be helping, so work with your body, not against it, give yourself a break. You will recover, but it does take time... and yes, you will likely get odd shooting pains or aches and feel generally strange, unfamiliar, in the pelvic region particularly, but it will all settle eventually.

Miriam

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Dear Cazy1010,

I'm sorry to read you have been feeling down. I'm pleased to see our lovely members have been so supportive as usual.

I wanted to let you know that we have a number of virtual groups you might enjoy and might help take your mid off things in the meantime:

Tomorrow we have a relaxation and self-care session:

ovacome.org.uk/Event/relaxa...

We also have an online choir (with everyone on mute so you can sing as loudly or quietly as you like!) that is on this Thursday:

ovacome.org.uk/Event/ovacom...

We also have a weekly tea and chat group that does tend to talk about things people living with ovarian cancer are experiencing at the moment, but there is no pressure to share if you aren't ready to: ovacome.org.uk/Event/friday...

If you would like a chat, you can call the Ovacome support line on 0800 008 7054. We are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.

Best wishes

Jo

Ovacome support

[Riverflo]

Hi Cazy,So important to take things easy during these very early days. No strange movements or lifting anything heavier than the TV remote 😁 so you don't get a hernia like I did.

Bland, easily digestible food, walking when you can and soon enough you will get on with your life and this will be a distant memory.

Don't worry too much , better times are around the corner.

Martine x

[Saintgermain]

Completely normal a lot of your bits got moved around wondering did they give you a binder to use it really helped this is a very emotional journey a life's detour we did not anticipate taking.

[Leniko]

you’ve been thru a lot and it’s ok to feel a little down. It took me awhile to heal and things move around and resettle. I had a total hysterectomy plus removal of appendix x and omentum. Hoping each day brings you a little more strength.

[janers]

Thank you for posting this question, and I hope you feel better soon! I am scheduled for my surgery in a couple weeks, and I am trying to mentally prepare for it. It’s very scary to anticipate! I’m really scared. Thank you for all the responses to this post that were so encouraging. To hear other peoples experiences is helping to prepare me. Thank you

[Cazy1010 in reply to janers]

Just go with the flow , it is scary but you can do this . If you want a cry then do I had a lovely nurse who came and sat with me and gave me a hug when I had a wobble, I’m here if you need a chat as I will be a few weeks in front of you !!!

[Jacquiemoo]

do not feel bad, it’s so hard to feel normal right away. I couldn’t walk upright for almost 2 weeks! My abdomen still doesn’t feel right and it’s been 6 weeks now. Dr did say 6-8 weeks..looks like 8. Please give yourself time to heal. I’m so sorry you are alone dealing with this. Please keep positive thoughts going. It does get better day by day..❤️

[TeddyC]

It’s very early days for you. I had my op 2 years ago and still get the occasional pulling sensation. I also occasionally get an odd throbbing around the area of my rib cage when I lie on my side, which they tell me is scar tissue. It’s a very big operation and recovery takes a long time.

[mlbronk]

I've been through what you have the surgery and Staples all up my stomach couldn't really do much I guess I've been through a lot for 12 years and I'm still going when you can't get outside and snowing and raining and nobody to talk to they can get depressing I know I'm there right now if you're feeling down it's normal I opened the Bible and it helped me so much following the word only take one day at a time each day will get betterand you can venture out it takes time prayers